Bloglander

The latest installation in our Bands in Vans series features road musings from local singer-songwriter Mark Ward, who has embarked on a three-week solo tour to California and back. (Click the "Bands in Vans" link to read his other posts.)

It’s been about a week since my last post…lazy, so lazy.

Last weekend I played at an adorable little tea shop named Asana tea house in Santa Cruz. As you can tell they were excited to have me perform there:

click to enlarge

Anyway, I performed in front of a small, but attentive crowd. Everyone who was in attendance was very nice and I was able to sell a few CD’s. Also, for the second show in a row, a stranger drew a picture of me! I guess there is just something about me that makes people want to doodle a portrait on a scrap piece of paper (maybe I should take up nude modeling for the Community College … again).

For some reason, I thought it would be fun to stay at a KOA in Santa Cruz. It was not. The weather was less than desired and I was less than content, so I got the hell out of there.

I took a short detour to visit the famed Hearst Mansion. For those of you who don’t know, William Randolph Hearst was a newspaper tycoon from the early 1900′s and built a really, really, REALLY big house on the central coast of California. It was pretty cool.

On Wednesday, I played in Sherman Oaks California, which is in the LA area. It was my first show in “LA” and I was a little intimidated. I approached the venue apprehensively and with caution, but as the night continued, I relaxed a little. Luckily, a few friends from high school showed up and I was able to chat with someone.

I performed last: my set started about 10:30 pm. There was still people milling about drinking and chatting, laughing and loving. After my first song I was shocked at the cheers that I received. The crowd of 30 or so people were great! I even received demands for an encore. Crazy! Several people came up and talked with me after I was finished and they were so nice.

For the last few days, I have been staying down in San Diego for a friend’s wedding and for a little vacation. It has been a blast! I also picked up a travel mate, my lovely girlfriend Bobbi has joined me. It should be a fun trip back home. I will keep you updated.

Ward-> out